Saul David always explains things in an engaging manner. If you have enjoyed this show, please don't forget to click like, leave a comment for other viewers and if you have not done so already please SUSBSCRIBE so you don't miss our next streams. You can also become a member of this channel and support me financially here ua-cam.com/channels/UC1nmJGHmiKtlkpA6SJMeA.html. Links to any books discussed, WW2TV merchandise, our social media pages and other WW2TV shows to watch can all be found in the full UA-cam description. Lastly, my own book Angels of Mercy is always available online - more info here www.ddayhistorian.com/angels-of-mercy.html
Marvelous guest Woody. I read Saul’s “Devil Dogs” book. Saul speaks with enthusiasm and breaks down complicated topics into easily understood language. I’d never heard of the SBS until now. Obscure topics brought to light. Amazing stuff.
So enjoyed listening to Saul David talking about the SBS in World War II. I feel he has captured, through his marvellous book SBS Silent Warriors, the very essence of what these brave commandos stood for. He is right, they were very courageous young men with a strong independence of spirit. I am so pleased that people like my father Major Harold Vere "Harry" Holden-White, MC, are now being talked about to inspire others to follow in their positive and uplifting footsteps. I only wish he were alive today to experience this. I know he would have been terribly pleased, not for himself because he was a very modest man, but for the SBS, a unit he remained loyal to until the end of his life. Many thanks Saul.
A man who is passionate about his subject chatting with an informed and insightful host. Sorry i missed the "live" but this made riveting listening. Brilliant!
I think Churchills experience in South Africa (1899 - 1902) sold him on the idea of small units, mobile and great weapons training. It's called a Boer Commando (Kommando).
I love these stories Saul is able to share! Now I just have to clean up my back log of unread books and get his new one!! Thanks Paul as usual, great show!!
About the role of Churchill; I cannot help his seeing first hand what irregular forces could do in The Boer War had influenced him. I also hope Saul talks of Anders Lassen.
My great uncle, marine Richard Ruff took part in operation Sunbeam on the 18th June 1944. Six went in and six came back, sinking 2 ships and damaging many others
I read many of those books when I was in high school in the eighties. We had a decent library, I think. Cockleshell Heros, Cry Sabotage, the book on the X-boat mini subs, Commandos and Rangers, etc. As they assert in the video, the stories are very inspirational.
Another good one Paul. Interesting talk about the earning of medals, or lack of them - I always enjoy a chat by Mark Smith on medals. PS, nice complement by Saul at the end. Kudos
Another great show. Saul mentioned that British submarines (or rather their captains and crews) weren't particularly keen on these special operations as they were principally tasked with sinking enemy shipping, but perhaps the exception to this was HMS Seraph*, commanded mostly by Bill Jewell, that seemed to excel or even specialise in such non-traditional roles such as reconnaissance and even served as a guide ship for the Sicily invasion. It's obviously a little sad that US command decided against the beachmarking at Utah and Omaha, which clearly added to the casualty rate at the latter beach. You might have thought that after Torch, Husky and the amphibious operations in the Pacific that the US brass would value getting troops to the right place at the right time. *As far as I can make out from internet searching, the Seraph wasn't terribly effective at sinking anything.
The UDT/Seal museum in Florida mentions a combined Army/Navy unit in the early war period that seamed to take some of its impetus from the British. I think the Army component was rolled into the OSS but I’m not positive. It’s been a while since I looked into it.
Were some of the first sbs based in malta by any chance does anyone know? I know British troops used to row around the island for exercise at same time as building hospitals as fast as the Germans could bomb them as my uncle was there, still awaiting records.
My great-uncle went into the SBS from the Royal Navy he fought on the Destroyer HMS Nubian as a pompom gunner. The Royal Navy trained him as a blue jacket Commando to go ashore. So I would say yes I also know my great-uncle also helped build one of the runways on Malta
@@GM-yc3rl many thanks 👍 my uncle was in malta building hospitals and went on to be sas, he always said the first but unable to prove this on his behalf so far, most think he was a Walt but I don’t at all. I have two service numbers for him and that was his blazer badge in thumbnail. Also ww2 para wings not the blue sas kind.
@@joejohnson5543 for a lot of men in those regiments the records are just lost that's the conclusion I've come across. There is a Facebook group special air service family and friends research group I would suggest joining them to conduct something of a search
@@GM-yc3rl I am a member fella put quite a lot of pics on there if you search my name should come up, but no luck, started about two years back and applied for records now I have death cert.
The question ‘was it worth it.’ The operation had a greater number of facets than is apparent. In the olden days, when the planners of the ship mining were children, there was a simple trick that gangs of pickpockets would use. A member of the gang would merely stand in a crowd, then shout that his wallet had been stolen and pat the pocket that his fictitious wallet would have been in. This elicits most of the crowd to touch the pocket that their wallet was in, thus informing the gang of pickpockets where their hidden valuables were. What happens if some ships are sunk by magnetic contact mines? The pickpocket algorithm starts. The Germans euphemistically pat their pockets by posting guards on all the infrastructure that is important to their war effort. This natural response then shows where their valuable assets are. The grand old Duke of York algorithm then starts. The grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men. He marched them up to the top of the hill, And he marched them down again. When they were up, they were up, And when they were down, they were down, And when they were only halfway up, They were neither up nor down. Even in death, the fledgling SBS tail was wagging the German dog. The simplicity of the plan was, that if everyone failed, the Germans would still be forced to post guards on all their infrastructure.
The sound is absolutely terrible with high volume echoes. This is very distracting. Do you not do sound checks before you transmit? Got to 6.34 and switched off.
The ethos was made into a wonderful TV sketch, but unfortunately I can’t remember where from; it went something like this: ‘Carruthers … Sir. The war is going badly … Sir; And we need to make a gesture. … Sir. We need you to take a kite over to Berlin. - and don’t come back’. …. ‘SIR !’
@@WW2TV thanks again I found it. It was called the aftermyth of war sketch. I got a lot wrong: crate, Bremen, futile gesture etc … but the basic tenet was close😂
I wonder if the real qualitive guage of their impact is that today eighty plus years later they're still around, still operating, still secretly guarded, still at the apex, and now internationally enviously renowned....
the lord earl jellico's special boat service the spec boat squadron small scale raiding wing , they had a few names before they took special boat service , the limey's used to have a saying that go's like this = mobs for jobs bash & dash types they had a lot of duplication = the COPP = combined operations pilottage party , the SRU = the sea reconnaissance unit so many diverse units
My uncle Arthur laminate was in the she was in Korea from first day to last day only found out three years ago he died last year what he said they did was amazing but he did not me film anything like fighting or combat he received a lease medal from the Korean ambassador three years ago
Saul David always explains things in an engaging manner. If you have enjoyed this show, please don't forget to click like, leave a comment for other viewers and if you have not done so already please SUSBSCRIBE so you don't miss our next streams. You can also become a member of this channel and support me financially here ua-cam.com/channels/UC1nmJGHmiKtlkpA6SJMeA.html.
Links to any books discussed, WW2TV merchandise, our social media pages and other WW2TV shows to watch can all be found in the full UA-cam description. Lastly, my own book Angels of Mercy is always available online - more info here www.ddayhistorian.com/angels-of-mercy.html
Marvelous guest Woody. I read Saul’s “Devil Dogs” book. Saul speaks with enthusiasm and breaks down complicated topics into easily understood language. I’d never heard of the SBS until now. Obscure topics brought to light. Amazing stuff.
So enjoyed listening to Saul David talking about the SBS in World War II. I feel he has captured, through his marvellous book SBS Silent Warriors, the very essence of what these brave commandos stood for. He is right, they were very courageous young men with a strong independence of spirit. I am so pleased that people like my father Major Harold Vere "Harry" Holden-White, MC, are now being talked about to inspire others to follow in their positive and uplifting footsteps. I only wish he were alive today to experience this. I know he would have been terribly pleased, not for himself because he was a very modest man, but for the SBS, a unit he remained loyal to until the end of his life. Many thanks Saul.
A man who is passionate about his subject chatting with an informed and insightful host. Sorry i missed the "live" but this made riveting listening. Brilliant!
Thank you
I think Churchills experience in South Africa (1899 - 1902) sold him on the idea of small units, mobile and great weapons training. It's called a Boer Commando
(Kommando).
An excellent and informative presentation. I really appreciate the passion Saul has for the subject.
Excellent presentation. Thank you
Saul David is one of your best guests ever. Please have him on again. Loved this story.
Great show - great historian.
A pleasure to hear such hidden stories from WW2. Thank to both of you
I love these stories Saul is able to share! Now I just have to clean up my back log of unread books and get his new one!! Thanks Paul as usual, great show!!
One of the ''Cockleshell Heroes'' was a Dubliner.
About the role of Churchill; I cannot help his seeing first hand what irregular forces could do in The Boer War had influenced him.
I also hope Saul talks of Anders Lassen.
My great uncle, marine Richard Ruff took part in operation Sunbeam on the 18th June 1944. Six went in and six came back, sinking 2 ships and damaging many others
Isn’t it interesting how Britain being so much on the defensive in 1940, sought to develop offensive special operations forces
I read many of those books when I was in high school in the eighties. We had a decent library, I think. Cockleshell Heros, Cry Sabotage, the book on the X-boat mini subs, Commandos and Rangers, etc. As they assert in the video, the stories are very inspirational.
Another good one Paul. Interesting talk about the earning of medals, or lack of them - I always enjoy a chat by Mark Smith on medals.
PS, nice complement by Saul at the end. Kudos
Outstanding information, great interview. Can't wait to get my hands on the book! Thanks a bunch 😃
Really enjoyed this programme. Another good 'un!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Another great show. Saul mentioned that British submarines (or rather their captains and crews) weren't particularly keen on these special operations as they were principally tasked with sinking enemy shipping, but perhaps the exception to this was HMS Seraph*, commanded mostly by Bill Jewell, that seemed to excel or even specialise in such non-traditional roles such as reconnaissance and even served as a guide ship for the Sicily invasion. It's obviously a little sad that US command decided against the beachmarking at Utah and Omaha, which clearly added to the casualty rate at the latter beach. You might have thought that after Torch, Husky and the amphibious operations in the Pacific that the US brass would value getting troops to the right place at the right time.
*As far as I can make out from internet searching, the Seraph wasn't terribly effective at sinking anything.
The UDT/Seal museum in Florida mentions a combined Army/Navy unit in the early war period that seamed to take some of its impetus from the British. I think the Army component was rolled into the OSS but I’m not positive. It’s been a while since I looked into it.
Very interesting.I always remember D Squadron 1SAS that became known as the wartime SBS(1SAS) in March 1943.
This was really enjoyable, just ordered the book.
Were some of the first sbs based in malta by any chance does anyone know? I know British troops used to row around the island for exercise at same time as building hospitals as fast as the Germans could bomb them as my uncle was there, still awaiting records.
My great-uncle went into the SBS from the Royal Navy he fought on the Destroyer HMS Nubian as a pompom gunner. The Royal Navy trained him as a blue jacket Commando to go ashore. So I would say yes I also know my great-uncle also helped build one of the runways on Malta
@@GM-yc3rl many thanks 👍 my uncle was in malta building hospitals and went on to be sas, he always said the first but unable to prove this on his behalf so far, most think he was a Walt but I don’t at all. I have two service numbers for him and that was his blazer badge in thumbnail. Also ww2 para wings not the blue sas kind.
@@joejohnson5543 for a lot of men in those regiments the records are just lost that's the conclusion I've come across. There is a Facebook group special air service family and friends research group I would suggest joining them to conduct something of a search
@@GM-yc3rl I am a member fella put quite a lot of pics on there if you search my name should come up, but no luck, started about two years back and applied for records now I have death cert.
@@GM-yc3rl sorry I’m only on the collectors and facts page one Rusty runs now. The family one won’t let me back in until I can prove his service.
Trying to find out about my grandfather who was a commander in the SBS during WW2. Any pointers as to where to get information on him ?
I never saw them using "Frogmen" divers in the film, they used rods to lower the limpets.
The question ‘was it worth it.’ The operation had a greater number of facets than is apparent. In the olden days, when the planners of the ship mining were children, there was a simple trick that gangs of pickpockets would use. A member of the gang would merely stand in a crowd, then shout that his wallet had been stolen and pat the pocket that his fictitious wallet would have been in. This elicits most of the crowd to touch the pocket that their wallet was in, thus informing the gang of pickpockets where their hidden valuables were.
What happens if some ships are sunk by magnetic contact mines? The pickpocket algorithm starts. The Germans euphemistically pat their pockets by posting guards on all the infrastructure that is important to their war effort. This natural response then shows where their valuable assets are. The grand old Duke of York algorithm then starts.
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again.
When they were up, they were up,
And when they were down, they were down,
And when they were only halfway up,
They were neither up nor down.
Even in death, the fledgling SBS tail was wagging the German dog. The simplicity of the plan was, that if everyone failed, the Germans would still be forced to post guards on all their infrastructure.
The sound is absolutely terrible with high volume echoes. This is very distracting. Do you not do sound checks before you transmit? Got to 6.34 and switched off.
Yes i do sound checks, and sometimes it still goes wrong on the day. In this case, i mostly cured it after a few minutes
The ethos was made into a wonderful TV sketch, but unfortunately I can’t remember where from; it went something like this: ‘Carruthers … Sir. The war is going badly … Sir; And we need to make a gesture. … Sir. We need you to take a kite over to Berlin. - and don’t come back’. …. ‘SIR !’
It was in Beyond the Fringe with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore
@@WW2TV Thanks for that ☺️
@@WW2TV thanks again I found it. It was called the aftermyth of war sketch. I got a lot wrong: crate, Bremen, futile gesture etc … but the basic tenet was close😂
I wonder if the real qualitive guage of their impact is that today eighty plus years later they're still around, still operating, still secretly guarded, still at the apex, and now internationally enviously renowned....
the lord earl jellico's special boat service
the spec boat squadron
small scale raiding wing , they had a few names before they took special boat service , the limey's used to have a saying that go's like this = mobs for jobs bash & dash types they had a lot of duplication = the COPP = combined operations
pilottage party , the SRU = the sea reconnaissance unit
so many diverse units
Saul penhallow
My uncle Arthur laminate was in the she was in Korea from first day to last day only found out three years ago he died last year what he said they did was amazing but he did not me film anything like fighting or combat he received a lease medal from the Korean ambassador three years ago